Unregulated Herpes Experiments Expose ‘Black Hole’ of Accountability

December 22, 2017

(Washington Post) – Recent revelations that a U.S. researcher injected Americans with his experimental herpes vaccine without routine safety oversight raised an uproar among scientists and ethicists. Not only did Southern Illinois University researcher William Halford vaccinate Americans offshore, he injected other participants in U.S. hotel rooms without Food and Drug Administration oversight or even a medical license. Since then, several participants have complained of side effects. But don’t expect the disclosures after Halford’s death in June to trigger significant institutional changes or government response, research experts say.